Treating chin dimpling in Amsterdam
Chin dimples are most noticeable when the mentalis muscle contracts: while talking, frowning or briefly pressing your lips together. This creates small indentations in the skin, giving it an orange-peel appearance. The cause is usually not the skin itself, but the muscle underneath. A wrinkle relaxer reduces the force of the muscle contraction, making the skin on the chin smoother. At Cosmopolitan Clinic Amsterdam, this treatment starts from €95.
Below, you can read what happens in the chin, when a wrinkle-relaxing treatment can help and when it cannot, how many units are used in this area, and which side effect is specific to the chin. We also explain the difference between this treatment and chin contouring with fillers, as these are two different treatments with different aims.
Table of contents
- What are chin dimples?
- Dents or a dimple in the chin: what’s the difference?
- Pros and cons
- How the treatment works
- Which product is used
- The treatment, step by step
- Results and how long they last
- Recovery and aftercare
- Risks and side effects
- Who is suitable for treatment
- Cost
- Frequently asked questions
- Sources
- Personalised advice
What are chin dimples?
The chin has one central muscle: the mentalis muscle. It runs from the edge of the lower jaw's incisors to the skin of the chin. The NVDV describes its function in two words: chin wrinkling. Each time the muscle contracts, it pulls the skin inward. When the muscle contracts frequently or forcefully, a pattern of small dents and fine lines develops.
This pattern is not a skin problem. The skin itself is healthy; it is simply pulled into folds from underneath. That is why creams, peels and microneedling do little for this particular concern. To reduce the dents, the muscle needs to be treated.
It usually becomes more noticeable with age. The skin gets thinner and less elastic, so the same muscle movement leaves a more pronounced impression. For others, it starts at a young age because their chin muscle is naturally strong.
Dents or a dimple in the chin: what’s the difference?
Chin dimples and a chin dimple are two different things, and the difference determines whether treatment is likely to work.
A dimple, also called a cleft chin, is anatomical. It is determined by the shape of the jawbone and how the muscle attaches to it. A wrinkle relaxer will not remove this dimple, even if you increase the dose. If you would like to address it, the groove can be disguised with filler, but not removed.
Dents caused by muscle activity behave differently. They appear when you tense your chin and disappear when you relax your mouth. This is exactly the kind of appearance that can be softened with a wrinkle relaxer. If the dents are still clearly visible when your face is at rest, something else may be involved, such as volume loss or an acne scar, and a different treatment plan is needed.
Pros and cons
Benefits:
- The treatment takes five to ten minutes, and you can carry on with your day afterwards.
- It is one of the lowest-dose treatments in the face, with two injection sites.
- The effect is not permanent. If you are unhappy with it, it will wear off on its own.
- Chin treatment combines well with other areas of the lower face, such as marionette lines.
Cons:
- The result is temporary. Repeat treatments are needed to maintain a smoother appearance.
- The chin is not an approved indication for botulinum toxin. Treatment is off-label, in line with the NVDV guideline.
- A dose that is too high or an injection placed too high in the chin can temporarily affect mouth movements.
- It does not treat an anatomical dimple, acne scars or loose skin.
The treatment, step by step
The treatment is minimally invasive and performed on an outpatient basis.
Your treatment plan is tailored to your smile, muscle activity and preferences.
How the treatment works
A wrinkle relaxer contains botulinum toxin type A. It temporarily blocks the signal from the nerve to the muscle. This means the mentalis muscle contracts less forcefully, and less pulling on the skin results in a smoother-looking chin. The muscle does not disappear or become damaged; it simply works less for a while.
According to the NVDV guideline, the effect begins 24 to 48 hours after treatment and generally reaches its maximum after 3 to 14 days. So assess the result after two weeks, not two days. This is also when a touch-up may be worthwhile.
Which product is used
For the chin, we use botulinum toxin type A, the same type also used for the forehead and frown lines. What makes this area different is the dosage. The NVDV guideline recommends a maximum of 6 Allergan or Merz units for irregularities or folds in the chin area, divided between two injection sites. This is a low dose, and deliberately so: several small muscles lie close together around the mouth, and we want to leave them undisturbed.
One more thing we want to be upfront about. In the Netherlands, botulinum toxin is registered for three cosmetic areas: frown lines between the eyebrows, crow’s feet and horizontal forehead lines. The chin is not one of them. Treating the chin muscle is therefore off-label use. This is not unusual, and the area and dosage are described in the guideline of the Dutch Society for Dermatology and Venereology, but we will tell you before you take a seat.
The treatment, step by step
- Assessment. The doctor asks you to alternately tense and relax your chin. This helps determine which part of the appearance is caused by the muscle and which is not.
- Consultation. We will discuss your goals, medical history and medication use, and talk about what you can realistically expect.
- Cleaning the skin of the chin.
- Two injections, low and central in the chin muscle. They are deliberately placed low to keep clear of the muscles that control the corners of the mouth and the lower lip.
- Apply gentle pressure briefly. Then you can leave straight away.
- Follow-up after about two weeks, especially if this is your first chin treatment.
Results and how long they last
You will usually notice the first change within the first two days: your chin feels less strong when you tense it. The final result can be assessed after two weeks. Your chin will then look smoother when moving, while your facial shape stays the same. That is exactly the aim. This treatment does not change your profile.
The NVDV states that botulinum toxin type A lasts 3 to 5 months. How long it lasts for you depends on the dose, the strength of your chin muscle and how quickly your body breaks down the product. In practice, most people schedule two to three treatments per year.
Recovery and aftercare
There is no recovery time. You can go straight back to work. We do recommend a few precautions for the first day:
- Do not lie flat for the first four hours.
- Do not rub or massage the treated area.
- Avoid vigorous exercise, saunas and tanning beds for the first 24 hours.
- Small bumps and some redness at the injection sites are normal and usually subside within an hour.
- Bruising may occur and generally clears within a week.
You can apply makeup once the injection sites have closed.
Risks and side effects
The side effect specific to this area is noted in the NVDV guideline and on few other websites: asymmetry when moving the mouth. If the product is injected too high or too far to the side, it can affect muscles that control the corner of the mouth and lower lip. This can cause a smile that moves less on one side, or a corner of the mouth that lags slightly. It is temporary and will resolve as the product wears off, but it is the reason this area is treated with a low dose and injections placed low in the chin.
The known side effects of botulinum toxin also apply: pain or redness at the injection site, bruising and sometimes headache. The Dutch Pharmacotherapeutic Compass also lists drooping eyelids and facial asymmetry, side effects that mainly affect the upper face.
We do not treat patients with a muscle disorder such as myasthenia gravis, an infection at the injection site, or during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
Who is suitable for treatment
The treatment may be suitable if:
- the dimples are mainly visible when you tense your chin;
- you notice that your chin muscle pushes your lower lip up when you talk or concentrate;
- you want a subtle result without changing the shape of your chin.
Treatment may be less suitable if:
- it is an anatomical dimple in the chin;
- the irregularities are scars from previous acne. In that case, we look at skin improvement;
- your chin is recessed or lacks volume. This is addressed with chin filler;
- you have a muscle disorder, are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Cost
Chin treatment with a wrinkle relaxer at Cosmopolitan Clinic Amsterdam starts from €95. The final price depends on the number of areas you have treated. You can find the current fees for each area on our price list.
Cosmetic chin treatment is not covered by health insurance. There is no medical indication, so you pay for it yourself.
Frequently asked questions
Why do I have dimples in my chin?
This happens because the chin muscle pulls the skin of the chin inward when it contracts. That is its function. When the muscle is strong or contracts frequently, this movement leaves a pattern of dents, which becomes more noticeable as the skin gets thinner.
Can a wrinkle relaxer remove the dimple in my chin?
No. A dimple or cleft chin is caused by the shape of the jawbone and the muscle attachment. A wrinkle relaxer cannot change this, regardless of the dose. A filler can partly fill the crease, but this only camouflages it.
What if chin treatment does not go as planned?
The most common concern is a smile that lags slightly on one side because the product has reached muscles around the corner of the mouth. This is bothersome, but it will resolve on its own once the effects wear off. Unlike with fillers, there is no antidote for botulinum toxin. That is why we keep the dose low and inject low in the chin, and see you again after two weeks.
Wrinkle relaxer or chin filler: which do I need?
That depends on what bothers you. If you have dents and lines that appear when you move, the muscle is the cause and a wrinkle relaxer is the right option. If it is the shape of your chin—for example, if it is recessed or looks too short in profile—the issue is volume, and chin filler may be suitable. The two treatments are not mutually exclusive and can also be combined.
How long does it take to see results?
The effect begins 24 to 48 hours after treatment and is usually strongest after 3 to 14 days. We therefore recommend assessing the result after about two weeks.
How long does the result last?
Botulinum toxin type A is considered to last 3 to 5 months. After that, muscle activity gradually returns, and with it, the appearance of the skin.
How much does chin treatment cost?
Treatment starts from €95. Our price list shows the fees for each area and combination.
References
| Claim | Source |
|---|---|
| Function of the mentalis muscle (chin dimpling), maximum dose of 6 Allergan or Merz units divided between two injection sites, and the side effect of asymmetry when moving the mouth | NVDV, Guideline on Botulinum Toxin Therapy for Cosmetic Indications, February 2025 (current guideline) |
| Onset of effect after 24 to 48 hours, maximum effect after 3 to 14 days, duration of effect 3 to 5 months | NVDV, Guideline on Botulinum Toxin Therapy for Cosmetic Indications, February 2025 (current guideline) |
| Approved cosmetic indications are limited to glabellar lines, crow’s feet and horizontal forehead lines. The chin area is not included, so treatment is off-label | Farmacotherapeutisch Kompas, botulinum toxin A product information (current) |
| Contraindications include muscle disorders such as myasthenia gravis and infection at the injection site; side effects include ptosis and facial asymmetry | Farmacotherapeutisch Kompas, botulinum toxin A product information (current) |
Personalised advice
It only takes a few seconds to see whether your chin dimples are caused by the muscle. The doctor will ask you to tense and relax your chin, and it will immediately be clear whether a wrinkle relaxer is the right option or whether the issue is more about volume or the skin. If you are unsure whether to choose a wrinkle relaxer or chin filler, we will discuss both options side by side and help you decide what suits your face.
Would you like to know what may be possible for you? Contact us to book a consultation at Cosmopolitan Clinic Amsterdam.
